Tool for disassembly and reassembly of rifles, and methods of constructing and utilizing same

ABSTRACT

The present invention (known as the SIDEWINDER) provides a tool for use in disassembly and reassembly of the three components both metric and inch versions of the FAL type rifle. It is a primary object to provide a tool in accordance with the present invention which utilizes a hole in the bolt which houses the firing pin retaining pin. Another object of the invention is to provide such a novel and unique tool which not only removes the extractor components, but also all the components of the bolt. Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel and unique tool as described wherein such a tool is more compact than other tools, lends itself to being stored either in the rifle cleaning kit compartment, or cleaning components tool roll associated with the rifle.

The present invention relates generally to a novel and unique tool for use in disassembly and reassembly of rifles, and novel methods of constructing and utilizing same.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a tool for use in the disassembly and reassembly of Fusil Automatique Leger (FAL) or Light Automatic Rifle (LAR) manufactured or licenced by Fabrique National of Herstal Belgium, and methods of constructing and utilizing same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

All models of the FAL rifle must be stripped down into sub-components for cleaning in the field, known as field stripping.

Furthermore, the rifle must be broken down into smaller sub-components for repair at an arsenal. Home hobbyists also break this rifle down from sub-components, and rebuild the weapons into civilian legal versions for collecting, competition, and informal shooting.

The FN Light Automatic Rifle is an automatic weapon, caliber 7.62 NATO, gas operated and with a breech block which is mechanically locked before firing can take place.

The prior, but not necessarily relevant, art is exemplified by the following United States Patent. Schisler U.S. Pat. No. 2,276,348, entitled “EXTRACTOR REMOVING TOOL”, discloses a tool which may be applied to a rifle to initiate removal of the extractor while the bolt is in the gun so that the firing pin may be removed and replaced.

It is a desiradatum of the present invention to avoid the animadversions of the present and prior devices, techniques and tools, and provide a novel and unique tool for facilitating removal of the retaining pin, firing pin, and firing pin spring, and stripping the total bolt of the rifle for cleaning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a tool for use in disassembly and reassembly of the three components of the rifle.

It is a primary object to provide a tool in accordance with the present invention which utilizes a hole in the bolt which houses the firing pin retaining pin.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a novel and unique tool as described hereinabove, which not only removes the extractor components, but also all the components of the bolt.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel and unique tool as described hereinabove, wherein such a tool is more compact than other tools, lends itself to being stored either in the rifle cleaning kit compartment, or cleaning components tool roll associated with the rifle.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide such a novel and unique tool as described hereinabove, wherein the tool has a double 90 degree bend specifically designed to fold up for storage in the tool roll of the rifle.

Additional features, advantages, and applications of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in this particular area of technology and to others having been exposed to the detail patent description set out hereinbelow in conjunction with the accompanying patent drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Illustrates a side view of the tool in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. (Diagrams Page 1)

FIG. 2 Illustrates the obverse of the FIG. 1 illustration of the tool in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. (Diagrams Page 2)

FIG. 3 Illustrates a bottom view of present invention of the tool in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. (Diagrams Page 2)

FIG. 4 Illustrates a rear view of the tool in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. (Diagrams Page 2)

FIG. 5 Illustrates a top view breakdown of individual sub-components of the tool in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. (Diagrams Page 3)

FIG. 6 Illustrates a left side view of the tool in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. (Diagrams Page 3)

FIG. 7 Illustrates a side view of individual sub-components of the tool in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. (Diagrams Page 3)

FIGS. 8 and 9 Illustrate face and interior views of the tool in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. (Diagrams Page 4)

FIGS. 10 and 11 Illustrate basic dimensions from a front view (FIG. 10) and side view (FIG. 11) of the tool in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. (Diagrams Page 4)

FIG. 12 Illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tool in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. (Diagrams Page 5)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying FIGS. 1 thru 12, there is shown the novel and unique tool in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The tool is intended for use in disassembly and assembly of the three components of a rifle. These components are: 1) the extractor claw which removes the spent cartridge from the chamber; 2) the extractor spring plunger or follower which applies forward pressure to the extractor; and 3) the extractor spring which produces forward pressure to the follower and extractor. In order to remove these components from the bolt of the rifle, the tool in accordance with the present invention utilizes a hole in the bolt which houses the firing pin retaining pin. In other words, with the tool in accordance with the present invention, the tool not only removes the extractor components, but also all the components of the bolt.

The tool comprises a lever, (1) that is knurled (2) a fulcrum pin (3) a draw pin (4) a drawbar (5) a drawbar pin (6) a drawbar washer (7) double 90 degree bend (8) (FIGS. 1-7, Diagram Pages 1, 2, and 3.)

The fulcrum pin (3) of the tool is inserted into the firing pin retaining pin hole located to the side and rear of the body of the bolt. This pushes out the retaining pin, the fulcrum pin (3) is then withdrawn from the hole, and gentle pressure is then applied to the firing pin to compress its spring and allow the removal of the firing pin components.

The fulcrum pin (3) of the tool is the reinserted into the retaining pin hole.

The lever (1) of the tool is then moved rearwardly, thus retracting the extractor spring plunger, and the spring to the rear, allowing the user to safely remove the extractor from the machine cradle in the bolt.

Re-assembly is done in the reverse order.

It should be noted that a common factor in all prior extractor removal tools for the FAL rifle is the utilization of the firing pin at the rearmost part of the bolt as a fulcrum for such prior tools. Oftentimes, the firearm that is being worked on has been in service for fifty years or more. To use a part as critical as the firing pin to apply the pressure required to compress the extractor spring is risky at best. In contrast, the tool in accordance with the present invention utilizes the bolt body itself.

It should be noted that the user, by moving the lever (1) backwardly in a counter-clockwise direction with one hand leaves the opposite hand of the user free to carefully remove the extractor, the extractor plunger, and extractor spring out of the bolt as a sub-assembly. Similarly, the tool in accordance with the present invention also facilitates and accomplishes re-assembly.

It should be noted that the tool in accordance with the present invention uses a side loading position of the tool relative to the bolt.

In accordance with the present invention, the tool removes the firing pin retaining pin so the firing pin is removed. Then, the retaining pin hole is used as the anchoring point or fulcrum for the present invention so that the tool in accordance to the present invention is used as a dual function tool to facilitate removal of the retaining pin, firing pin, firing pin spring, stripping the total bolt for cleaning.

It should be noted the tool has a double 90 degree bend (8) (Diagram Page 3) which is specifically designed to permit the lever to fold up for storage in a tool roll for the rifle.

It should also be noted that the tool in accordance with the present invention is more compact than other tools and lends itself to being stored with cleaning components associated with the rifle. Many such rifles have a trapdoor in the stock for cleaning components, and utilize a tool roll arrangement, and the tool in accordance with the present invention can be stored in such. 

1. Our invention locates off the firing pin retaining pin hole and eliminates the possibility of firing pin breakage.
 2. Our invention is designed to strip the bolt completely of sub-components for complete cleaning and/or repair.
 3. Our invention, has a double 90 degree bend (8) (Diagram Page 3) which is specifically designed to permit the lever to fold up for storage in a tool roll for the rifle or the trapdoor in the stock of the rifle. 